New Delhi, Dec 5, 2025 — IndiGo, India’s largest airline, cancelled more than 500 flights across the country on Friday as it struggled with crew shortages and new regulatory requirements. The massive disruption created confusion and heavy congestion at major airports.
✈️ What Happened
All domestic IndiGo departures from Delhi were cancelled until midnight, leaving thousands of passengers stuck at the airport with little clarity on alternate arrangements.
Major travel hubs including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune also saw a wave of cancellations as the airline’s schedule collapsed through the day.
IndiGo later acknowledged that the disruption was caused by planning errors while adjusting to stricter pilot duty-time and rest rules introduced under updated safety regulations.
😟 Impact on Passengers
Travellers across India faced long queues, difficulty retrieving baggage, and sudden last-minute cancellation messages. Many passengers with business trips, medical travel, and connecting international flights were left scrambling for options.
As demand surged, fares on other airlines spiked sharply, making it harder for stranded travellers to find reasonably priced alternatives.
⚠️ Why This Happened
The aviation regulator’s newly enforced pilot rest-period and duty-time norms, aimed at reducing fatigue, required airlines to adjust crew schedules.
IndiGo’s existing manpower and roster planning were not sufficient to meet the new requirements, leading to widespread operational strain.
Aviation experts say IndiGo’s long-used lean staffing model left it exposed when stricter regulations were suddenly applied across the network.
🏛 What Authorities Are Doing
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has stepped in, asking IndiGo to present a detailed recovery plan. The regulator has also granted temporary relaxation of some pilot duty rules to help stabilise operations.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has opened a 24×7 helpline and control room to assist affected passengers and monitor airport conditions.
IndiGo has assured that it is working to rebuild schedules and expects operations to return to normal by February 10, 2026.
🔎 What to Do If You Are Affected
Check your flight status on the IndiGo website or mobile app before travelling.
Use IndiGo’s rebooking or refund options if your flight is cancelled.
Book early or consider alternate airlines when urgent travel is required.
Keep spare time for long queues and possible delays at busy airports.
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